Going to Oz? 1st time - help needed

I am currently a secondary school teacher in England, and I am playing with the idea of going on a gap year to Australia.

I know it may seem a vague question, but how much would i need to take with me? I would like to do a bit of work when out there. I have tried to look about for information on vairous sites, but they all seem to be trying to sell me something if i ask them any questions.

Is it worth going on a BUNAC trip? or should i organise everything myself?

I've a simliar question, so thought i'd post it on this thread instead of starting a new one and cramming the forum even more.

As with bobbymoo, could anyone provide some advice on budgeting? The time i'll be in Oz is not certain yet, as it depend on how easy it is to get a job. If my GF and i can get a job for approx 4 weeks, then we'll stay 2months+, if we cant get a job, then we'll stay for just the 1 month, as we're on a tight budget.

I hear of stories of people getting job fruit picking etc (which may be more appropriate as we'd only like to work around a month), and like bobbymoo says, places like bunac are always out to sell you something, so decent advice is hard to find.

I believe the reccomended amount of cash to have on hand for your first few months is about $5000AU.

How much you should take depends mostly on where you want to go, what you want to do, and what kind of accomidations you are looking into.

If hostling is ok for you, then you'd be looking at about $16 - $30 / night just for accomidations, though some places are cheaper if you book for longer.

I believe it was mentioned in a previous post that if you are going to be staying in any one place for a long time, it might be in your best interest to look at renting a flat, or at least a room in one.

Keep in mind, certain cities (IE Sydner / Melbourne) are significantly more expensive to live in than say, Perth (I think)

Are you planning on working as a teacher in Australia? I'm not sure how it is with the UK, but with Canada you need to meet special requirements to use your degree or skills in certain professions in Australia.

I dont have the website with me right now, but try looking at the "working holiday" visa on the government website. I seem to remember it had a great FAQ on expenses and what to expect.

I am trying to figure out how much I will need to travel as well, I am planning to travel for a year around Oz and maybe head to NZ. I'm guessing I will need around 10k and work as I go. But I really havent a clue, been searching this sight for some advice as well...

There is heaps of fruitpicking work right down along the coast of Queensland. Innisfail has 3 backpackers which exist only to accommodate backpackers there on the harvest trail. Childers is another town that draws a lot of backpackers for that reason. I think you could even find a company that will help you to "follow the fruit."

I don't know how you would go teaching here. I just did two years teaching in the UK; let me just say I don't envy where you are going back to for work.

hi darren7 im going with ozintro in august they have suggest to get a travellers at work membership which cost about £20 they find you part time or full time jobs within about a week, there is alos other groups you can go with(id go with something suggested by a agency) These cards can be used all over australia, hope this helps ...

I wouldn't recommend going with BUNAC. Just compare the price for their program with how much it costs to get the visa yourself (head to the Australian High Commission in London website). I think you can even get the visa online so not only is is cheaper, it's also pretty easy. A wee bit of research will save you heaps. I reckon BUNAC (and SWAP for Canadians) is the biggest scam going.

A few years ago I went to Oz with about $4000 Canadian dollars cash and another $3000 on creditcards. I earned just over $7000 working my way around the country picking fruit. I did 6 weeks in Maroopna, Victoria (on Lenne's Orchard) then booted it out to WA and worked in Donnybrook for another 7 weeks (stayed at Brook Lodge and saved heaps of money and met lots of great people).

I didn't work at all for my first 6 months and spent all my money partying my face off in Queensland. I also did 5 weeks on a sheep station as a cook (made $300/week but paid for nothing and nowhere to spend my money) and worked in exchange for accommodation as much as possible in hostels around the country. My accommodation costs for the entire year were about $3300 all up.

You could stay in a city, rent a house and get a job temping or even teaching I'd say pretty easily but I think the best part about going to Oz on a gap year as that you'll be doing jobs you'd never do at home and meeting people and exploring places way off the beaten path. I'd definately recommend harvest work. It's tough but you'll meet lots of great people in the same miserable boat and have a laugh and make some good money if you work hard.

I do possibly agree with you that BUNAC is a bit of a scam, especially for the prices they ask. However, as it would be my first time and been by myself, I'd prefer someone to fall back on. I'm not saying i'd need them, but they'd be there just in case.

If I were to go it alone though, what would i need apart from a working visa and flights?